Psoriasis may not be an independent predictor for the use of cardiovascular and anti-diabetic drugs: a 5-year prevalence study

Acta Derm Venereol. 2009;89(5):476-83. doi: 10.2340/00015555-0688.

Abstract

Most studies investigating the association between psoriasis and cardiovascular disease have shown a significant relationship. This comparison study investigated the association between psoriasis and prevalent use of cardiovascular drugs. Drug exposure data for 1998 to 2006 were extracted from the Dutch PHARMO-Record Linkage System database. Psoriasis patients were selected using an algorithm of hospitalization and drug dispensing records specific for psoriasis and matched with controls for gender, age and time-period. From the records of 2.5 million Dutch residents, 9,804 (0.4%) psoriasis patients and 15,288 (0.6%) controls were selected. Psoriasis patients used significantly more anti-hypertensives, anti-coagulant and anti-platelet agents, digoxin, nitrates, lipid-lowering and anti-diabetic drugs than the reference population during a 5-year period observation. In a multiple linear regression model adjusting for the number of unique drugs used, psoriasis was no longer significantly associated with any of these drug classes. Psoriasis patients used more cardiovascular-related drugs, but surveillance bias appears to affect this association considerably.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Cardiovascular Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / drug therapy*
  • Cardiovascular Diseases / etiology
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Databases as Topic
  • Dermatologic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Diabetes Mellitus / drug therapy*
  • Diabetes Mellitus / etiology
  • Drug Prescriptions
  • Drug Utilization
  • Female
  • Hospitalization
  • Humans
  • Hypoglycemic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Logistic Models
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Netherlands
  • Odds Ratio
  • Psoriasis / complications*
  • Psoriasis / drug therapy
  • Risk Assessment
  • Risk Factors
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • Cardiovascular Agents
  • Dermatologic Agents
  • Hypoglycemic Agents